In this Nov. 11 photo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam. Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2017 photo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin talk during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam. Trump repeatedly declared in his presidential campaign that he would improve relations with Russia but was never specific. A year into his presidency, itâs no more clear. Moscow and Washington are at odds over issues ranging from North Korea to Ukraine, despite Trumpâs open admiration of Putin. (Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP, File)(Photo: Jorge Silva / AP)

MANITOWOC – The United States is unlikely to have a friendly or easy relationship with Russia, according to retired diplomat John Katzka during the second session of Great Decisions Monday, but that doesn't have to mean there will be war.

"Today, when we look at Russia, we are not witnessing a collapsed empire, but a country with great territory and resources unlikely to go quietly into any sunset," Katzka said. "Russia probably will not be a friend in the foreseeable future, but I hold that it doesn't have to be an adversary."

Katzka spent 38 years in the Foreign Service addressing public affairs, during which he was sent to Moscow twice, once during the fall of the Soviet Union. He shared his experiences and insights on the United States-Russia relationship during the Great Decisions session Monday at Manitowoc Public Library.

"As a diplomat, I was schooled to look at all sides of an issue," he said. "That means reporting back the good and the bad and how we are being perceived, how our policies are being perceived and whether or not our policies have any chance of being successful in the country to which I was accredited."

According to Katzka, the sheer size of Russia and the relative isolation of many cities and villages have contributed to Russia's culture, which is markedly different from cultures in Europe and the United States.

"Looking at the size of it (Russia), you get a sense of not only the range of it, but the potential," Katzka said. "Potential has been part of Russia's history and will be part of its future."

Russia's isolation kept it from participating in the Renaissance and Reformation periods that most of Europe experienced. In addition, Russia is no stranger to foreign invasions — most notably by Napoleon in 1812 and by Adolf Hitler in 1941. Together, these factors have shaped Russian citizens to take part in a culture that is focused on the good of the collective rather than the individual and fostered an avoidance of chaos.

Today, Katzka said most of Russian citizens approve of Vladimir Putin's aggressive leadership as president of the Russian Federation. He said Putin is widely accepted and even applauded by the Russian people, particularly when he does something against the United States.

"Putin is pragmatic on foreign affairs, that is my view," Katzka said. "He has shown he is prepared to do what it takes to protect Russia and national interests. I hold that he doesn't want to recreate the former Soviet Union or czarist Russia, and there is a reason for that. However, he doesn't want to see unfriendly countries on his border."

For that reason, Katzka said Putin is unlikely to allow Ukraine to join NATO or to relinquish control over Crimea, which was annexed by the Russian Federation in 2014.

Katzka said he doesn't know if the aggressive reaction by the United States was wise, but it has strained the relationship between the United States and Russia. Nevertheless, he said the United States will have to continue to defend its interests in the region.

"The National Defense Strategy still holds the U.S. as the world superpower," Katzka said. "Russia and China are not going to be claiming that title anytime soon, but they are regional powers and they can frustrate us significantly in their regions. We have strong interests in both of those regions."

Katzka's presentation was the second in the eight-part Great Decisions series organized by the Foreign Policy Association. The next presentation will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at the Manitowoc Public Library in the Balkansky Room. The topic will be "Turkey: A Partner in Crisis," presented by Beth Dougherty, Ph.D., from Beloit College.

The Great Decisions events are free and open to the public. Each presentation will be streamed on Facebook Live and later made available on the Manitowoc Public Library's Facebook Page.

For more about the Great Decisions series, visit www.manitowoclibrary.org and click on the link for 2018 Great Decisions.